Credibility & Ethical Policy
Evidence Atlas is committed to a principled, transparent, and responsible approach to ancient site research — with safeguards to protect data integrity, user safety, and the heritage we document.
Our Ethical Foundations
What we believe and how we govern contributions.
Protecting Sensitive Locations
We do not encourage looting, trespass guidance, or harm; sensitive coordinates are masked when necessary.
Transparent Sourcing
Every submission must cite sources clearly: publications, field notes, and metadata are visible by design.
Privacy & Data Respect
We minimize data collection, avoid invasive fields, and prioritize contributor privacy at every step.
Moderation & Quality Assurance
How we maintain integrity and trustworthiness in contributions.
Evidence Atlas balances *open contribution* with *quality control*. All submissions — evidence, claims, labels — are reviewed by moderators to ensure they comply with our standards (see Evidence Standards page). Content that lacks provenance, misattributes sources, or appears to promote harmful narratives will be flagged, reviewed, or removed.
We do not arbitrate academic disputes, but we do enforce rules that protect other contributors from misleading, speculative, or harmful information. Contributors who repeatedly violate these guidelines may have editing privileges limited.
Responsible Documentation in Practice
Examples of safe, ethical submissions that align with our credibility policy.
Baalbek — Ethical Use
Well‑labeled, sourced photos with clear metadata, without exposing exact sensitive coordinates.
UI Example
Demonstrates how evidence and sources are presented with structured labels to avoid misinterpretation.